Devices, systems and methods for tracking and auditing shipment items

ABSTRACT

Devices, systems and methods for tracking and auditing shipment items are provided by capturing video of the shipment items handled in a facility. In certain embodiments, tracking devices are disclosed that can be integrated in a platform for material handling vehicle and manufacturing systems. In certain embodiments, tracking devices can provide tracking and auditing of shipment items by using a method of capturing video of shipment items as they are being handled. In certain embodiments, tracking devices can be coupled to video cameras. The video to be captured may be determined based on the information collected and/or commands received in relation to the items. In some embodiments, the method can create metadata and associate video and item information for shipment items handled in a facility. The video and metadata can be accessed through a communication network at a later time for tracking, auditing and other purposes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/031,456, filed on Jul. 31, 2014. The presentapplication is related to co-pending, commonly assigned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. ______ (dkt no. 0372306utility) concurrently filedwith the present application. The contents of the above-identifiedapplications are incorporated by reference in their entirety as ifrecited in full herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to shipment transportation andfacility logistics. More particularly, the present invention relates todevices, systems and methods for tracking and auditing shipment items ina facility by recording and storing video content of the shipment items.

BACKGROUND

In the field of shipment transportation and facility logistics, it iscommon to track and audit shipment items that are being handled within afacility for various reasons. For example, tracking and auditingshipment items can provide information on possible human mishandling ofthe shipment items during various logistics operations. Generallyreferring to the coordination and transportation of resources includinggoods and equipment, logistics often relies on the use of distributioncenters. These are large facilities such as warehouses that store itemsfor a variety of uses. Given the potential losses that can occur due topossible damages within a facility, it is common in the field to insurethe items. Insuring shipment items, provides coverage in the case ofaccidents and/or damages as a result of their transportation in afacility. However, once a shipment item has been damaged, it isimportant to understand the reasons that caused the damage forstreamlining and efficiency purposes. Additionally, being able toprovide an explanation and trail of the incurred damages may be helpfulin retrieving the item's costs by submitting successful insuranceclaims. Thus, it is important to be able to provide a way for trackingand auditing the resource items as they are being handled within afacility such as a distribution center.

Tracking and auditing shipment items and materials is also prominent inthe field of manufacturing. Specifically, manufacturing as it relates tothe use of conveyor belts on which goods can be placed, assembled and/ortransported within a facility. Tracking and auditing of shipment itemsin a manufacturing environment is helpful for similar reasons to theones described above. For example, having the ability to provide anauditing trail of shipment items can help satisfy insurancerequirements. Additionally, in many instances, items that are beingmanufactured may become defective or compromised due to machinerymalfunctions along the conveyor belts. However, depending on thecomplexity of the manufacturing chain, identifying the source of theproblem may require cessation of operations, which can result tosubstantial financial losses. As a result, there is a need for trackingand auditing items as they are being handled in manufacturingfacilities, whether on conveyor belts or elsewhere.

One primitive approach for tracking and auditing items and resources ingeneral is to do so manually, i.e., through the use of human surveyorsfor each and every item that is being handled. For example, in thecontext of a distribution center or warehouse facility, an item will begenerally handled by a fork lift or tow truck. In order to track andaudit the item as it is being handled by the fork lift or tow truck, anadditional person besides the driver would be deployed to act as asurveyor and document the process. Similarly, in the context ofmanufacturing, human surveyors may need to be placed in betweenmanufacturing conveyor belts depending on the complexity of the site, inorder to provide effective tracking of the items. Needless to say, thecost, in terms of time and monetary expense, of such manual reviewbecomes impracticable as the size and scale of the warehouse facility ormanufacturing site increases. Moreover, even if each item is reviewedmanually, such an effort is error-prone and unlikely to correctly trackand identify the entire set of items that may have incurred damage.

In many cases, variations of the above mentioned approach are used. Forexample, self-reporting by a fork lift driver or assembly line employeeduring the handling of the items is a common practice. However, thispractice is prone to the same problems presented previously andadditionally may not be preferred for insurance purposes.

Another commonly employed methodology for tracking and auditing shipmentitems is the use of surveillance cameras. This approach has severaladded advantages such as the recording of video that can be stored indigital form or the ability to survey a large warehouse facility ormanufacturing site for item handling purposes as well as securitypurposes. However, in the case of an insurance claim due to item damage,this method still relies on manually filtering the recorded surveillancevideo by a human surveyor. Moreover, the quality and detail of therecorded video is highly correlated to the specific hardware and overallinfrastructure being used for the surveillance system. Additionally, thestorage requirements for this approach are highly expensive since thefiltering of the recorded video will only occur upon request for aspecific action such as an insurance claim. As a result, this method isalso prone to errors or inability to track and audit all items that maybe damaged due to their handling.

In light of the foregoing, many technological tools have been developedin an effort to reduce reliance on human involvement and improveperformance and efficiency in the field of shipment transportation andfacility logistics and manufacturing, but also specifically as itrelates to the tracking and auditing of items and resources. These toolsemploy computerized systems executing software algorithms that attemptto identify and retrieve portions of the recorded videos that contain aspecific item. Furthermore, the use of optical codes as identifiers forobjects enables the association of data with an object that can then beeasily transferred, edited and/or displayed. As a result, fork lifts andother material handling vehicles are being fitted with vehicle mountingcomputing devices and are able to perform data collection andpresentation of the collected item information to the user.

An example of a commercially available tool for distribution centers,warehouse operations and manufacturing operations that utilizescomputer-based solutions for material and item handling is the IntermecForklift System by Honeywell Inc. The system is an example of a mobilecomputing and data collection assisted tool that is used for trackingfork lifts in a facility and increasing inventory accuracy by trackingitem misplacements. However, the use of these computer assisted systemsin a logistic or manufacturing setting does not provide a completesystem for the tracking an auditing of shipment items. These systemsrely on the use of human surveyors and do not provide a detailed andcomplete auditing trail of shipment items in a facility.

Therefore, there is a need for a more efficient and effective system forthe tracking an auditing of shipment items that can capture video of thehandling of the items in a reliable and time efficient manner whilemaintaining a low digital storage cost and minimizing the use ofmanpower. Moreover, there is a need for such a system to be implementedin a portable, user-friendly, and compatible solution that may be usedcommercially with pre-existing products. Furthermore, there is a needfor such a tracking and auditing system to have broad applicationsbeyond logistics and manufacturing, so as to be advantageously usable inany electronic tracking, auditing or item handling system, especiallyforward looking situations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Devices, systems and methods for tracking and auditing shipment itemsare disclosed. These devices, systems and methods provide an efficientplatform for capturing, storing and cataloging video of shipment itemsthat are being handled in a facility and that are easily scalable forlarge and complex facilities and uses. These tools may be used for thepurpose of identifying any source of damages caused to the items becauseof the handling in the facility. Such video recordings can be used asevidence to support or reject insurance claims made in connection withthe items. Additionally, these tools may be used for identifying andtracking defective products and the source of the mishandling and/ormalfunction in a manufacturing conveyor belt setting, providing enhancedand customizable security for desired shipment items, and for providinga quantitative assessment of the workforce and policies in a logistic ormanufacturing environment.

In some embodiments, devices and systems for tracking and auditingshipment items by capturing video of the items handled in a facility areplaced on material handling vehicles such as fork lifts or tow trucks,or even adjacent to conveyor belts. Components of such devices can bepowered by the vehicle's power source (e.g. fork lift's battery) and canbe connected to one or more video cameras that record video of theshipment items as they are being handled in the facility. An exemplarydevice, comprises a hardware processor and a storage medium such as ahard drive or any other suitable form of a storage medium that storesthe recorded video. An inverter can be connected to the vehicle'sbattery to convert the battery's direct current to alternating currentthat can power the hardware processor. Additionally, the one or morevideo cameras can be connected to an integrated power and data supplythat allows for both a wired and wireless connection with the hardwareprocessor. In some embodiments, the device may comprise a transceiverthat may be coupled to the hardware processor and that may be used fortransmitting the stored video and any other suitable data to a remotedatabase located, for example, on a server and/or device.

In some embodiments, the invention provides devices, systems and methodsfor tracking and auditing shipment items that are capable ofcommunicating with a shipment instruction device, which can provide afork lift operator with a list of shipment items and actions that needto be taken regarding these items. One or more cameras may then beactivated such that they continuously record video content in a loop forthe duration of their buffers, until a triggering event occurs. Forexample, a triggering event can be the scanning of the shipment item'sbar code in response to a corresponding action by the operator. Once theitem has been scanned, information regarding the item and correspondingaction(s) to be performed may be received. For example, a fork liftdriver may receive information that the shipment item should be moved,loaded, inspected or any other suitable action. Moreover, the iteminformation can include a unique identifier for the item, dimensions,corresponding instructions and/or any pertinent geographical informationindicating location.

To track and audit the shipment items, certain relevant video content iscaptured, stored and transferred to a remote location. The desired videocontent may correspond to a key time interval pertaining to when theoperator takes a certain action relating to the item. Therefore, certaintime durations may be determined as to when to retrieve video contentcaptured by the one or more cameras that are continuously recording in aloop, depending on the action. Specifically, depending on the receivedaction for the item (e.g. unload package, load package etc.), two timedurations may be associated to that specific action in accordance withsome embodiments. The first time duration may indicate the amount ofvideo to be retrieved from the buffer that has been continuouslyrecording. Once the first amount of video has been retrieved, the one ormore cameras can restart recording for the second time duration and asecond video corresponding to the second time duration is retrieved.Each of the videos may be consolidated and/or combined with the item andaction information for local storage and subsequent transmission to aserver.

Devices, systems and methods for tracking and auditing of shipment itemsare capable of receiving item and action information from a shipmentinstruction server and transmitting item and action information as wellas the retrieved videos to an auditing server in accordance with someembodiments. Additionally, devices, systems and methods are disclosedfor implementing such a solution as an integrated, portable, andcompatible system. For example, the device can be implemented by usingcomponents, or being coupled to a standard PC computer, tablet, laptop,smartphone, or any other suitable device. Such a device may run astandard operating system (e.g., Windows, Linux, OSX, Android, iOS), andthe including instructions for operating the device can be installedand/or run as one or more programs or libraries on the device itself.When the device is, for example, coupled to a laptop, tablet, orsmartphone, the system is easily transportable and compatible with anyexisting shipment instruction device. Such a device may or may not befurther connected to one or more computers or other devices via anetwork.

The above devices, systems and methods therefore provide automated,portable, and integrated solutions for tracking and auditing shipmentitems by recording action-specific video during the handling of an item,while requiring less computational resources (e.g., workstations,servers, and infrastructure), and less manpower to initiate, maintainand oversee the tracking and auditing of such items.

The devices, systems and methods for tracking and auditing shipmentitems described herein are preferably advantageous for capturing videoof shipment items handled in a distribution center facility, a warehouseor in a manufacturing setting, as well as a wide variety of additionalareas in which tracking and auditing of shipment and other items isdesirable. For example, in law enforcement, security, and forsurveillance applications, such a system could be used to uncoverpossible tampering of items that can be perceived as threats, or aid asa supplemental surveillance element for the detection of fraud.Additional examples include medication screening and publictransportation accident auditing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantageswill be more apparent from the following detailed description of theembodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a tracking and auditing system inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a tracking and auditing devicefor shipment items according to certain embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an additional system suitable foruse in tracking and auditing shipment items in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for capturing video ofshipment items in a facility according to certain embodiments;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Devices, systems and methods are provided for tracking and auditingshipment items by recording targeted video content for these items asthey are being handled in a facility. The following description startswith an overview of an exemplary system, which illustrates an operatingenvironment for the exemplary device disclosed herein. From there,further details are provided regarding the exemplary device and overallsystem components and processes that may be implemented in accordancewith various embodiments of the invention. A variety of additionalaspects are also discussed below.

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way ofillustration specific embodiments in which the invention may bepracticed. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilizedand structural changes may be made without departing from the scope ofthe present invention. Furthermore, although exemplary embodiments arediscussed in the context of a shipment item being handled in a facilityby one or more tracking and auditing devices, systems and methods, oneof ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the principles of theinvention are applicable to any tracking, monitoring and auditing itemeffort in any appropriate field such as law enforcement, manufacturingand compliance.

Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals represent the sameor similar elements, FIG. 1 represents an overview of a tracking andauditing system 100 for shipment items handled in a facility. System 100provides a solution to the problem of tracking and auditing shipmentitems by recording, storing and indexing video as the items are beinghandled by material handling vehicle 102. In some embodiments, materialhandling vehicle 102 can be a fork lift, a tow truck or any othersuitable vehicle able to transport and/or handle shipment items.

In some embodiments, one or more video cameras 104 are placed onmaterial handling vehicle 102 in order to record the handling ofshipment items in a facility. Video cameras 104 can be placed on variouslocations of material handling vehicle 102 to obtain multiple viewingangles of a shipment item. For example, one or more video cameras 104can be placed angled and/or flat on the top, bottom and/or front ofmaterial handling vehicle 102 or in any other suitable configuration, inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention. Video cameras 104 canbe any suitable device able to record video for a duration related to abuffer in both an intermittent and continuous manner. For example, videocameras 104 can be one or more camcorder, digital video camera,closed-circuit camera, smartphone camera or any other suitable videocamera and/or combination thereof.

In some embodiments, material handling vehicle 102 can include shipmentinstruction device 106. Specifically, device 106 can receive, provide,and display information about shipment items in a facility from and to amaterial handling vehicle's operator. For example, shipment instructiondevice 106 can be any suitable device such as a mounted computing deviceor hand held device that can be located on material handling vehicle102. It is typical to use a shipment instruction device 106 in the fieldof shipment item transportation and facility logistics. A common andexemplary use of shipment instruction device 106 in the field is thereceipt of instructions and information by the material handling vehicleoperator. In some embodiments, the operator can receive, via device 106,information on the shipment item such as an identifier, its destinationand/or its location in the facility. Additionally, an operator canreceive instructions such as loading, unloading, moving and/orinspecting a shipment item in the facility. For example, when theoperator receives the instruction to load a shipment item he/she willdrive material handling vehicle 102 to the location of the item obtainedfrom shipment instruction device 106. In some embodiments, once there,the operator can scan the shipment item using shipment instructiondevice 106 and confirm its identifier.

Shipment instruction device 106 can be directly connected to trackingdevice 108 using a wired and/or wireless connection in accordance withsome embodiments of the invention. Tracking device 108 can then receiveitem and action information from shipment instruction device 106.Tracking device 108 can be powered by power supply 110. For example,power supply 110 can be the material handling vehicle's battery or anyother suitable form of direct current power. Tracking device 108 canthen power and control one or more video cameras 104 and can recordvideo for a specific duration based on the action informationcommunicated by shipment instruction device 106.

In some embodiments, tracking system 100 can be employed in any scale.For example, a tracking and auditing system can include any number ofmaterial handling vehicles 102, comprising any number cameras 104capable of recording video and any number of tracking devices 108 thatcan communicate with one another or with any other device. For example,a fleet of fork lifts can have a network of tracking devices that cancross-reference item and action information between different forklifts, thus the system can be capable of obtaining multiple videos fromdifferent fork lifts, for a shipment item.

Turning to FIG. 2, tracking device 108 is disclosed, providing aplatform for tracking and auditing shipment items on which system 100 ofFIG. 1 may be implemented. As shown therein, tracking device 108 caninclude computing device 210. In some embodiments, computing device 210may be equipped with processor 204, transceiver 206 and data storage208. In some embodiments, any of processor 204, transceiver 206 and datastorage 208 can be separate components instead of part of a singlecomponent such as computing device 210. Processor 204 can be amicroprocessor, a central processing unit or any other suitable circuitcapable of executing computer instructions. Transceiver 206 can be anysuitable circuit capable of transmitting and receiving data such as aradio frequency transceiver and/or Ethernet transceiver. Data storage208 can be any suitable computer storage device such as RAM, ROM, PROM,and/or SRAM and is preferably a physical, non-transitory medium.

In some embodiments, tracking device 108 can include one or more videocameras 104 capable of recording video. Video camera 104 can be embeddedinto device 108 or connected externally to device 108 (e.g., as shown inFIG. 1) using any suitable connection. For example, video camera 104 caninclude one or more camcorder, digital video camera, closed-circuitcamera, smartphone camera or any other suitable video camera and/orcombination thereof.

Tracking device 108 can be powered using power supply interface 216 inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention. For example, powersupply interface 216 can include a Power over Ethernet system capable ofpassing electrical power along with data that can power video cameras104. In some embodiments, power supply interface 216 can be anuninterruptible power supply capable of providing emergency power tocomputing device 210, an inverter that can convert power from a directcurrent power source such as power supply 110 to an alternating currentthat can power computing device 210 or any suitable combination thereof.In some embodiments, power supply interface 216 including power supply110 and computing device 210 can be separate components and/or can bepart of a single interface.

In some embodiments, tracking device 108 can include input/output (I/O)interface 214 that is capable to connect with any other suitable devicesuch as a computing device and/or peripheral device or any suitablecombination thereof. In some embodiments, I/O interface 214 can connecttracking device 108 and camera(s) 104 to obtain the recorded video of ashipment item. Additionally, I/O interface can be used to directlyconnect tracking device 108 with an external computer for configurationand maintenance purposes such as the use of tracking device 108 in adifferent facility requiring different location parameters. In someembodiments, I/O interface 214 can be connected to peripheral componentssuch as a printing device and/or a screen. For example, I/O interfacecan include one or more HDMI connections for the transfer of video datafrom camera 104, one or more Firewire connections, one or more USBconnections for the transfer of data and/or any suitable combinationthereof.

The components of tracking device 108 can communicate using informationbus 212. For example, computing device 210 can exchange data with I/Ointerface 214, power supply interface 216 and one or more video cameras104 in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed invention.Information bus 212 can be an internal bus such as a memory bus, systembus and/or any suitable bus capable of connecting for example, processor204, transceiver 206 and data storage 208. In some embodiments,information bus 112 can be an external bus such as an expansion bus orany other suitable form of bus that can for example, connect computingdevice 210 with I/O interface 214, video camera 102 and power supplyinterface 216.

It should be noted that the device in FIG. 2 is merely meant todemonstrate an exemplary embodiment of a tracking device, and should notbe construed as limiting in any manner whatsoever. The particularconfiguration in FIG. 2 can be altered in numerous ways withoutdeparting from the principles herein. For example, video camera 104 canbe integrated in tracking device 104 or one or more cameras may beintegrated and/or externally connected to computing device 210. In someembodiments, computing device 210 and/or any of processor 204,transceiver 206 and data storage 208 can also be integrated in trackingdevice 104

FIG. 3 shows system 300 for tracking and auditing shipment items inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention. System 300 can have aplurality of client devices 308 that can be in communication withauditing server 302 and shipment instruction server 304 overcommunication network 306. The network may be any type of network suchas one that includes the Internet, a local area network, a wide areanetwork, an intranet, etc. Client devices 308 can be used to communicatewith auditing server 302 and shipment instruction server 304. Clientdevices 308, as well as auditing server 302 and shipping instructionserver 304, may be configured to communicate via wired or wirelesslinks, or a combination of the two.

Client devices 308 can represent a desktop computer, laptop computer,cell or smart phone, tablet device, or other type of computing device.Each of the client devices 308 can be equipped with one or morecomputing devices 210, data storage devices 208 (e.g., RAM, ROM, PROM,and/or SRAM) and/or one or more components of computing device 210 suchas processors 204 (e.g., a central processing unit) that are capable ofexecuting computer program instructions. Any of client devices 308 mayfurther include a display that is capable of displaying item and actioninformation for a shipment item that can be received by shipmentinstruction server 304 in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention. Client devices 308 can be tracking device 108 and shipmentinstruction device 106 in separate devices that can communicate viacommunication network 306. In some embodiments, client devices 308 canbe tracking device 108 and shipment instruction device 106 integrated ina single device. For example, the operator of material handling vehicle102 can receive action and item information for a shipment item on aclient device 308 such as a smartphone. The operator can then drive tothe shipment item and use the smartphone to scan the item. Thesmartphone can then activate cameras 104 including its own to recordvideo for tracking and auditing the shipment item.

Auditing server 302 and shipment instruction server 304 can also includeone or more processors 204 and one or more data storage devices 208.Auditing server 302 may generally represent any type of computing devicethat is capable of communicating with a client device 308. In someembodiments, auditing server 302 can cause information such as videocontent data, action and/or item information to be associated and storedin a database that maintains video and/or information about shipmentitems in a facility. In some embodiments, shipment instruction server304 can communicate with shipment instruction device 106 that can be anyof client devices 308 to provide item and action information.Additionally, shipment instruction server 304 can also receiveinformation on a shipment item when, for example, an operator scans anitem upon locating it in the facility. In some embodiments, auditingserver 302 and shipment instruction server 304 comprise one or moremainframe computing devices that execute a web server for communicatingwith client devices 308 over communication network 306. For example,auditing server 302 and shipment instruction server 304 can be locatedand configured in the same facility or can be external to the facility.

One useful feature provided by system 300 relates to the fact that anumber of client devices 308 such as tracking devices 108 maycommunicate through communication network 306. This useful feature canpermit for example a fleet of material handling vehicles 102 thatreceive item and action information for different shipment items fromshipment instruction server 304 to be able to associate the recordedvideos from the different tracking devices 108 based on the locations ofthe shipment items.

In some embodiments, client devices 308 can be used in manufacturing.For example, client devices 308 including tracking device 108 can beplaced next to conveyor belts and can record video of the path that ashipment item has traveled on the conveyor belts by associating thevideo recordings obtained from different tracking devices 108. The videocan then be combined and send to auditing server 302. In someembodiments, client devices 308 can be mounted on locations that cancapture the handling of shipment items as they are placed on and/orremoved from the conveyor belt by a handler.

It should be noted that the system in FIG. 3 is merely meant todemonstrate an exemplary embodiment of an operating environment, andshould not be construed as limiting in any manner whatsoever. Theparticular configuration in FIG. 3 can be altered in numerous wayswithout departing from the principles herein. For example, it should benoted that the functionality of auditing server 302 and/or shipmentinstruction server 304 in FIG. 3 may be carried out by a plurality ofservers. Likewise, although the figure depicts a single auditing server302 and shipment instruction server 304 connected to three clientdevices 308, any number of auditing servers 302, shipment instructionservers 304 and client devices 308 may be utilized with system 100.

Furthermore, while FIG. 3 illustrates a plurality of client devices 308in communication with an auditing server 302 and shipment instructionserver 304 over a network 306, it should be recognized that thefunctionality provided by auditing server 302 and shipment instructionserver 304 to client devices 308 may be performed locally on each ofclient devices 308. For example, client devices 308 may utilize anapplication and/or server that executes locally on client devices 308.Thus, any functionality of auditing server 302 and shipment instructionserver 304 which is described herein can alternatively be implemented bya client device 308, and vice versa.

In certain embodiments, client device 308, auditing server 302 andshipment instruction device (e.g., 106 in FIG. 1) can be integrated intoa single device (e.g., a standard PC computer, tablet, laptop,smartphone, or other device). For example, such a device may run astandard operating system (e.g., Windows, Linux, OSX, Android, iOS).When a device is, for example, a laptop, tablet, smartphone or similar,a tracking and auditing system is easily transportable. Such a devicemay or may not be further connected to one or more computers or otherdevices via a network. When configured to operate without a networkconnection, tracking and auditing system 300 requires littleinfrastructure beyond the device itself. Because only a single devicemay be required to implement tracking and auditing system 300, it isapparent that such an embodiment achieves significant savings in costs,infrastructure and complexity.

Embodiments described herein may be hardware-based, software-based ormay comprise a mixture of both hardware and software elements. Thus,while the description herein may describe certain embodiments, featuresor components as being implemented in software or hardware, it should berecognized that any embodiment, feature or component that is describedin the figures or description herein may be implemented in hardwareand/or software. In certain embodiments, particular aspects areimplemented in software, which includes but is not limited to firmware,resident software, microcode, etc.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary method 400 for tracking and auditingshipment items in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention.Initially, tracking device 108 that can be integrated in client devices308 may be powered up at step 402. In certain embodiments, trackingdevice 108 may be powered up by power supply 110 and/or power supplyinterface 216. For example, tracking device 108 can be directlyconnected to the battery of material handling vehicle 102. Additionally,tracking device 108 may directly connect to an uninterruptible powersupply in the case of the vehicle's power loss.

After tracking device 108 has been powered up, it can communicate withshipment instruction server 304 and/or shipment instruction device 106at step 404. In some embodiments, the communication can happen throughcommunication network 306 and/or I/O interface 214 using a dedicatedconnector.

At step 406, tracking device 108 can prepare the one or more videocameras 104 for recording by initiating their buffers. In someembodiments, the buffers of video cameras 104 can be set to be capableto record and store locally video for a specific time duration. In someembodiments, one or more video cameras 104 can have buffers of differentdurations. Once the buffers of video cameras 104 have been initiated atstep 406, then tracking device 108 can record video for the duration ofthe buffers at 408.

Referring back to FIG. 1 and system 100, an operator of the materialhandling vehicle 102 can receive action and item information at shipmentinstruction device 106 regarding a shipment item in accordance with someembodiments of the disclosed invention. For example, the operator mayreceive a command to inspect a shipment item located in a warehousefacility. As the operator travels through the warehouse, tracking device108 can instruct video camera(s) 104 to record video for the duration ofthe one or more cameras' buffers as indicated at step 408 until atriggering event is caused at step 410. Camera(s) 104 can record in acontinuous loop and can store the duration of the video content locallyin the buffer. Once the buffer has filled up, cameras 104 can continueto record by over-writing the video content stored in the buffer

In some embodiments, a triggering event can be the receipt of the itemand action information by tracking device 108. For example, receiving bythe tracking device an identification number unique to the shipmentitem. Specifically, an operator can scan a shipment item in the facilityusing one or more of client devices 308 including shipment instructiondevice 106. Subsequently, shipment instruction server 304 can receiveitem information and the shipment item can be identified by scanning abar code, a quick response code or any other suitable optical code usingan optical receiver device, in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention. The shipment item can also be identified by the operatormanually providing an identification number to the shipment instructiondevice that is in contact with the tracking device.

Referring back to system 100, if an operator upon receiving the commandto inspect has not reached the shipment item and has not been able toscan or otherwise identify it (e.g., “NO” at 410) then tracking device108 can continue to record video for the duration of the buffer incamera(s) 104.

In some embodiments, if an operator upon receiving the command toinspect, reaches the shipment item and scans its barcode, (e.g., “YES”,at 410) then tracking device 108 can receive item and action informationfrom the shipment instruction device 106 and/or server at step 412. Forexample, tracking device 108 can access the information that theoperator of the material handling vehicle obtained from the shipmentinstruction device 106.

In some embodiments, the item information can include information on thedimensions of the item, a unique identifier, location in the facilityand/or any other suitable information. Action information can includethe loading, unloading moving and inspection of the shipment item withinthe facility or any other suitable handling of the shipment item.

Depending on the action information that the operator of materialhandling vehicle 102 receives, tracking device 108 can determine at step414 whether to retrieve recorded video from the buffers of one or morecameras 104 in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Forexample, if the action received at step 412 indicates that the operatorneeds to unload a shipment item (e.g., “YES”, at 414) then trackingdevice 108 can retrieve a specific duration of video from the bufferassociated with the action of unloading at step 416. For example, as theoperator drives to the location of the shipment item, cameras 104 arerecording in a loop based on their buffers. The operator would thenhandle and retrieve the item to scan it (e.g., “YES”, at 410). Once theshipment item is scanned, step 414 can determine the retrieval durationof the item corresponding to the unload action. In some embodiments,loading, unloading, inspecting and/or moving a shipment item may requiredifferent durations of recorded video to be retrieved from the buffersof one or more cameras 104. In some embodiments, receiving the actionsof moving and inspecting at step 416 may not require retrieval of videofrom the buffer (e.g., “NO”, at 414). For example, if the operator doesnot need to handle and retrieve an item for inspection, then once theitem is scanned (e.g., “YES”, at 410), tracking device 106 causescameras 104 to record for a duration associated with inspecting an item(e.g., step 418). In some embodiments, the operator may by pass thesystem and manually insert a duration for recording an item.Additionally, durations of recorded video can depend on the placement ofcamera(s) 104 on material handling vehicle 102. For example, a cameralocated on the rear of the vehicle can have a larger duration of videorecording than a camera placed upfront.

If the action information received by tracking device 108 does notrequire video from the buffer (e.g., “NO”, at 414) or if tracking device108 has already retrieved a specific duration of video from the bufferat step 416, then tracking device 108 can restart or continue recordingusing one or more cameras 104 for a determined amount of time based onthe action information at step 418. In some embodiments, tracking device108 restarts recording by resetting the buffers of the one or morecameras. Specifically, in some embodiments, the duration of therecording for loading and unloading a shipment item may be larger thanthe duration for moving and/or inspecting a shipment item.

Tracking device 108 can then retrieve the additional recording from thebuffers of the one or more cameras at step 420. Tracking device 108 canthen store the video in storage 208 in accordance with some embodimentsof the invention. For example, tracking device 108 can store the videolocally on data storage 208, on any of client devices 308, and/orremotely to a database on auditing server 302 using communicationnetwork 306.

At step 422, tracking device 108 can associate the item information thatit received from shipment instruction device 106 and/or shipmentinstruction server 304 with the videos stored in data storage 208.Tracking device can then create and attach metadata to the videos basedon the item information received from the shipment instruction deviceand/or server. For example, metadata can include the identifier of theshipment item, dimensions and/or any other suitable textual informationthat can assist any keyword searches. In some embodiments, metadata canbe provided as a separate file to the video using a text format, it canbe directly embedded on the video or it can be in any combinationthereof.

In some embodiments, tracking device 108 can then send the videos andmetadata associated to the shipment item to auditing server 302 or anyother suitable data storage device (e.g., data storage 208) at step 424.Once tracking device 108 has sent the video and metadata to auditingsever 302, it returns to step 408 and can start recording in a loop forthe duration of the buffers until a new shipment item has been scannedand/or identified.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, aside fromproviding advantages in tracking and auditing shipment items, thedevices, systems and methods discussed throughout the disclosure hereinmay be applicable to a wide variety of fields that require tracking andauditing. Exemplary areas of potential applicability are logistics,manufacturing, compliance and surveillance, as well as tamperingdetection.

While there have been shown and described various novel features of theinvention as applied to particular embodiments thereof, it will beunderstood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in theform and details of the devices, systems and methods described andillustrated, may be made by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. Those skilled in the art willrecognize, based on the above disclosure and an understanding therefromof the teachings of the invention, that the particular hardware anddevices that are part of the invention, and the general functionalityprovided by and incorporated therein, may vary in different embodimentsof the invention. Accordingly, the particular system components shown inFIG. 1-FIG. 4 are for illustrative purposes to facilitate a full andcomplete understanding and appreciation of the various aspects andfunctionality of particular embodiments of the invention as realized insystem and method embodiments thereof. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the invention can be practiced in other than thedescribed embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustrationand not limitation, and the present invention is limited only by theclaims which follow.

1. A device for capturing video of shipment items handled in a facility,the device being coupled to at least one video camera configured torecord video content data for a duration associated with a buffer, thedevice comprising: a storage medium; an integrated power and dataconnector configured to supply power and data to the at least one videocamera; a hardware processor coupled to the storage medium and theintegrated power and data connector; an inverter configured to convert adirect current into an alternating current to power the hardwareprocessor; wherein the hardware processor is configured to: communicatewith a shipment instruction device, initiate recording from the at leastone video camera and cause continued recording for the duration of thebuffer until a triggering event is caused, in response to the triggeringevent: receive action information and item information on a shipmentitem from the shipment instruction device, wherein the actioninformation on the shipment item is selected from the group consistingof loading, unloading, inspecting and moving the shipment item and eachof the action information is associated with a distinct first and seconddurations of video content data, determine the first and the seconddurations of video content data based on the received action informationand item information, retrieve first video content data associated withthe first duration of the video content data from the buffer, restartrecording from the at least one video camera for the second duration ofthe video content data, retrieve second video content data associatedwith the second duration of the video content data from the buffer,associate the action information and item information with the first andsecond video content data, and cause the action information and iteminformation and the first and second video content data to be stored onthe storage medium; and a transceiver coupled to the hardware processor,configured to transmit the action information and item information andthe first and second video content data.
 2. The device of claim 1further comprising at least one input/output port coupled to thehardware processor and configured to communicate with a console.
 3. Thedevice of claim 1 further comprising an auxiliary power source coupledto the hardware processor and configured to supply uninterruptible powerto the device and the at least one video camera.
 4. The device of claim1, wherein the integrated power and data connector is a power overEthernet connector.
 5. A system for tracking shipment items handled in afacility, the system comprising: the device of claim 1; the at least onevideo camera coupled to the device; and an auditing server incommunication with the device, wherein the auditing server is configuredto receive the first and the second video content data and the actioninformation and item information on a plurality of shipment items. 6.The system of claim 5, wherein the device and the at least one videocamera are mounted on a materials handling vehicle.
 7. The system ofclaim 6, wherein the inverter is coupled to a battery configured tooperate the materials handling vehicle.
 8. The system of claim 5,wherein the triggering event comprises a scanning of an optical codelocated on the shipment item using an optical code recognition receiver.9. The system of claim 8, wherein the optical code is a bar code. 10.The system of claim 8, wherein the optical code is a quick responsecode.
 11. (canceled)
 12. The system of claim 5 wherein the iteminformation includes an identifier, dimensions and geographicallocation.
 13. The system of claim 6 wherein the first and the seconddurations of video content data is further based on a location where theat least one video camera is placed on the materials handling vehicle.